Monday, March 29, 2010

China's Geely to Buy Ford's Volvo in Record Deal (Update3)

Monday, March 29, 2010

March 29 (Bloomberg) -- Zhejiang Geely Holding Co. agreed to buy Volvo Cars from Ford Motor Co. for $1.8 billion in the biggest overseas acquisition by a Chinese automaker, more than 18 months after the two companies first entered discussions.

The price includes a $200 million note and the remainder to be paid in cash, Ford Chief Financial Officer Lewis Booth said yesterday in Gothenburg, Sweden. Time spent on seeking regulatory approval in different jurisdictions means the companies now aim to complete the deal in the third quarter, Geely Chairman Li Shufu said.

Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd., the automaker's listed unit, gained 1.5 percent to HK$4.16 in Hong Kong trading. Ford rose 12 cents to $13.98 at 8:04 a.m. before regular New York Stock Exchange composite trading, extending a surge of 39 percent this year through March 26.


Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2010/03/29/bloomberg1376-L01LN41A1I4H-1.DTL#ixzz0jZwk3prl

 

Friday, March 26, 2010

Ford CEO Alan Mulally drops off keys to new Shanghai Focus owner




Harriet Luo, the recent buyer of a brand new Ford Focus was in for the shock of her life when she found out that Alan Mulally, Ford’s global president, Joe Hinrich, head of Ford Asia, and Robert Graziano, head of Ford China, were all on site to hand the keys over to her.

Harriet was completely shocked by the arrival of the car industries biggest men to hand over her new Ford Focus car keys, and was quoted as saying “This is totally beyond my expectations. Having Mr. Mulally, Ford’s global CEO, hand over the keys to my new Ford Focus was absolutely incredible,” exclaimed Luo.

Ms Luo had compared more than ten different cars before deciding on a Ford Focus, which she liked due to its price, quality, and recommendations from family and friends.

 

FORD MOTOR COMPANY RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST ETHICAL COMPANIES BY ETHISPHERE

DEARBORN, Mich., March 22, 2010 – Ford Motor Company has been recognized as one of the world’s most ethical companies by the Ethisphere Institute, a leading business ethics think tank.

Ford is among 100 global companies chosen for the designation from a field of thousands of companies in more than 100 countries and 36 industries. Ford is the only automaker to receive the honor in 2010. The results are based on an extensive review of companies’ social responsibility efforts, corporate governance and business practices.

“Ford Motor Company is honored and pleased to receive this recognition,” said Ford Executive Chairman Bill Ford. “At Ford, we’re not only committed to making great products and building a strong business, we believe in contributing to a better world and doing business in an ethical way.”

This is the fourth year Ethisphere has published its list of the world’s most ethical companies. The firm is dedicated to the creation, advancement and sharing of best practices in business ethics, social responsibility, anti-corruption and sustainability.

“Ford’s promotion of a sound ethical environment shines within its industry and shows a clear understanding that operating under the highest standards for business behavior goes beyond goodwill and lip service and is intimately linked to performance and profitability,” said Alex Brigham, executive director of the Ethisphere Institute. “This year’s award was more competitive than ever, because companies realize that making ethics a priority is critical in a tough and unprecedented economic environment.”

The criteria researchers and analysts followed included:

  • A review of each company’s codes of ethics, litigation and regulatory infraction histories
  • An evaluation of investment in innovation and sustainable business practices
  • A look into activities designed to improve corporate citizenship
  • Input through nominations from senior executives, industry peers, suppliers and customers.

Information was provided to the Institute through formal questionnaires and through additional independent research.

“This honor underscores the efforts by the men and women at Ford Motor Company who diligently and consistently work every day to do the right thing on behalf of all of our stakeholders,” Bill Ford said.

The complete list of the 2010 World’s Most Ethical Companies can be found at http://ethisphere.com/wme-2010.

 

Monday, March 22, 2010

LET YOUR VOTE BE HEARD!!

Planet Ford 59 invites you to let your vote be heard!. Cast your vote for the best-selling midsize sedan: Ford Fusion

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Chuck Kramer as "Priciple of the Day" at

Chuck Kramer, Partner and General Manager of Planet Ford 59 recently spent some time as Principle of the Day at Foster Elementary School. "It's all about the kids!" says Chuck.


Alan Mulally interviewed by Joe Courrege at Randall Reed's Prestige Ford Lincoln Mercury

Alan Mulally, President & CEO of Ford, provides insight on the brand's growing success.